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I don't think we can use that fight as a evidence.The facts seem to indicate that Silva wanted a ground battle to get the sub, it was the only time in his whole career that he wore the gui during the entrance. And you know pretty well what Chael said about Nog's BJJ.
In the 2nd fight the history was very different, Silva did what he always does, the fact that Chael was a powerful wrestler did not play the part most expected it to.
As for the "rib injury" i don't think it played a part, other then giving Silva pain and discomfort, perhaps slowing the process of getting the sub.

Every fight can be used as evidence. You can't look past a fight just because it doesn't play in the favor of your opinion.

Silva may have wanted the sub. He sure as hell wasn't trying very hard for it early in the fight though.

The seconds fight seemed to be all the same... at least at the beginning. A strong case could be argued Sonnen would have taken Silva down again if he didn't hold his shorts. Silva is better than Sonnen. I'm not arguing that. I'm arguing Silva has a major wrestling weakness. Something that has been apparent against guys like Lutter and Hendo as well. IMO the greatest of all time isn't a guy who was used as a punching bag / wrestling dummy by a guy who is now 27 and 13.

Like I said before. I don't know if we will ever see another fighter with Silva's reflexes, timing, and accuracy. He's an amazing fighter who does things inside the cage which seem downright impossible. Is he the greatest of all time? In my opinion, no he's not. I think Jones is well on his way to gaining that title. I think GSP is also up there. Neither one of those guys have any weaknesses.

Is Silva the most impressive fighter of all time? I would lean towards yes. I just wish the Maia and Leites fights never happened.

Quoting for truth & not being biased.

This is an argument that will never be settled, because everyone likes to focus on different aspects which don't reduce to each other. I'm just happy that we are in an era right now where we are witnessing 3 potential different "GOAT"s, depending on how you evaluate a fighter. I sure as hell can't complain. We're pretty damned lucky.

It's so absurd to say Anderson has a weakness in his wrestling at this point as an argument he is not the best. And using his fight against one of the best wrestlers in the game pissing hot as an evidence. If this is not bein biased I don't know what it is.

You all know very well the fate of all wrestlers Anderson faced. Wrestling is not the highest specialty in Anderson's arsenal, but no way that is a weakness. It is so ridiculous it is like he is taken down any time by anyone. You forget he finished Henderson, finished Lutter, he took Marquardt down and finished him and played and TOOK BONNAR DOWN to finish him, also a monster LHW pissing extra hot in a short notice fight endangering his win streak just to save the card, while Bones full camp said no to fight Sonnen and had an entire event cancelled.

Saying GSP and Jones have no weaknesses is ridiculous. Jones is in the right path and openly emulates Anderson, what is the right thing to do. He still have to work his sub defense and grow some muscles to those unexplored legs. GSP is a great fighter, but his stand up is good as Anderson's wrestling is good, while his wrestling is superb as Anderson's stand up is superb.

Not mentioning Anderson does things none of them even imagine to do, so to put Anderson behind because his wrestling is not equal to theirs when Anderson's results speak for themselves is absurd.

Jones nearly had his arm ripped from its socket by Vitor and still dominated the fight. GSP nearly had his head removed from his shoulders by Condit and still dominated the fight. If losing 23 minutes of a 25 minute fight makes Anderson Silva the greatest fighter alive, then I've been praising the man for all of the wrong reasons.

GSP and Bones would have never been dominated in the same way Silva was. This is true.

Having said that, Silva has never *ever* been even remotely close to being subbed in the UFC era. Hes also never been remotely close to having his head kicked off.

This, and Anderson never spilled a drop of his blood on UFC canvas and after a fight, Anderson never looked like this:

My point was that all 3 are great fighters. I rate Silva higher then the other two because I like him more, plain and simple. It's hard trying to use logic to elevate one over the other as they are all so strong in different areas. Also, they are all at completely different stages in their careers. If we are to be sensible for a moment, they are incomparable to each other right now. When all 3 have retired, then maybe we can look back and compare.

My point was that all 3 are great fighters. I rate Silva higher then the other two because I like him more, plain and simple. It's hard trying to use logic to elevate one over the other as they are all so strong in different areas. Also, they are all at completely different stages in their careers. If we are to be sensible for a moment, they are incomparable to each other right now. When all 3 have retired, then maybe we can look back and compare.

I like all three as fighters as well. I prefer Anderson as well and I will be fair when comparing each best assets against each other. I just disagree to rank GSP (who I like a lot) above Anderson based on the fight Anderson spent under Sonnen. That's nonsense. It would mean it is preferable to lose a fight by KO rather than coming back from behind and win. Nonsense.